I was there. It looked pretty bad.
Morocco's strategy was pack it in and try for a counter attack goal. They definitely were playing not to let us score. They play 5 across the back most of the game. We got stuck in the mud in the attacking third. Here are a few observations:
Reyna is key to the midfield. We do not have anyone else that can fill his role. Donovan is good but has a habit of getting lost during most of the game. He is not a strong presence in the midfield. John OBrien just doesn't have his game speed or touch yet. I think he has the creativity and the know how, he is just way to fragile and out of shape at the moment. Masteroni was gassed and just would not show himself in the back midfield to the sides to switch fields or to just let the play flow through the midfield. Beasley couldn't use his speed since they were so packed in and we played on their half most of the game. No where for him to run. I liked the late play from Convey.
The attacking was bad. We really only had about 3 real threats on their goal. They should know how to break down a team that packs it in. McBride and Wofl couldn't get any goods serves and couldn't do much when they got the ball. Eddie Johnson needs to find his form again. He had a nice wank about 12 yards in front of the net in the second half. He should have buried it. Overall, I'm not really impressed with our strikers - no creativity, no threats.
The defense was solid. Gouch, Pope, and Gibbs are fast. Gouch can physically control just about anyone he will face. Three in the back is good for the US.
Keeping, good aas usual. Late 1 on 1 was Cherundolo's fault. Easy clear out of bounds would have prevented the goal.
I really don't care that they scored. I would have been just as unimpressed if it was Nil-nil. The attacking third was pretty pathetic. This world cup is going to be difficult for us (aka France) if we don't get our act together. Hopefully the next two tune ups against really inferrior talent will get the team focussed.
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7 comments:
I thought you were at the beach??
Nice analysis. I'm looking forward to watching some Cup action.
CD is great as usual. I'm on my 3rd time through.
Any particular songs that stick out (good or bad)?
We were at the beach from Thursday through Monday. Great time. The kids loved the beach and the waves.
I'll have to listen specifically for song numbers. I've had it on in the house so I haven't been paying particular attention. Hot Sauce is probably the leader in the club house, but I had heard that song before. Can I get a track list?
Curious on yours and anyone else's thoughts for that matter. The other day a friend of mine from Texas (big soccer state) were discussing the impact a World Cup final, or possibly a win would have here in the states. We both came to the agreement that even if the US won there would be at most a temporary increase in interest. I think interest has been on the incline, but I just don't believe we'll ever see the day here in the states where people will stop what they're doing or go out of their way to watch an MLS game. Sure even the casual fan will make an effort to watch the Cup, but after that??
Here in Madison is a great example. Sure there is plenty of youth soccer and even an amateur team, but that's about it. I mean the University of Wisconsin won the National Championship in the mid 90's. You can still go to a game for free.
I'm not sure if this is a decent comparison, but I think of cycling. Lance has dominated the biggest event for what seems like forever. And yeah, more people are out cycling with their yellow wrist bands on. But do you know anyone that makes an effort to watch portions of any other event. Can you even name another event? Yes, Lance is a celebrity, but from a spectator's percpective, there hasn't been much change.
It would obviously be a miracle, beyond anyhthing ever seen in sports, if the States won the Cup, but I feel like the attitude of most Americans would be like, huh, we should have been winning a long time ago. That's just the culture we live in.
Anyway, just a few thoughts.
CD list:
1. Fraud in the 80's - Mates of State
2. Typical - MuteMath
3. Soul Meets Body - Death Cab For Cutie
4. Use It - The New Pornographers
5. Bottle Rocket - The GO! Team
6. Little Sister - Queens of the Stone Age
7. Snow (Hey Oh) - Red Hot Chili Peppers
8. Bohemian Like You - The Dandy Warhols
9. Old Dirt Hill - Dave Mathews Band
10. Hot Sauce - Greyhounds
11. The W.A.N.D. - Flaming Lips
12. Stars - Hum
13. So Much Trouble - Matt Pond PA
14. Rebellion (Lies) - Arcade Fire
15. Talk - Coldplay
16. Girl - Beck
17. Best Of You - Foo Fighters
18. Again I Go Unknowticed - Dashboard Confessionsl
19. Ego - The Sounds
Response to your other question: If the US won the world cup, it would be like "pearls before swine". The majority of the people in this country would not appreciate the feat. The rest of the world would really be upset - The one country that really doesn't support the sport takes the cup. The dejection of the rest of the world would be greater than the ho-hum response of the US. That would be interesting to observe.
But is it really that bad? You compare it to Tour de France. I think the US has changed due to Lance. Ask any bike shop owner. Look at the growth of cycling and other endurance sports (triathlon) in the US. It is the fastest growing sport in America. As for being able to name another event in professional biking, The Huntsville times captures little sidebar articles about Ivan Basso winning the mountain leg of the Tour de Germany. If you pay attention, the information is there. And I think a lot of people are now interested in the TOur (widely held as the biggest bike tourney in the world) due to Lance. We watched the daily events on OLN channel. Also, Lance only raced 2-3 races a year. He focussed all his training each year only for the Tour de France. He didn't care about the other races in the world - why should we? The Tour de Georgia drew another record crowd this year. Everyone is now watching to see if George Hincappie can lead the US team like Lance.
I kinda like the fact that we are different than the rest of the world. I think if we can tap into the mainstream athlete produced by America, we will win the world cup. One of the subtle reasons people like American football is due to the fact that the sport is not being taken over by foreign players. The majority are homegrown (due to the fact that the rest of the world doesn't play that sport). Baseball and basketball are becoming leagues for foreign players. Its not that our athletes are getting worse, its that the rest of the world has caught up to us - and there are a lot more of them than there are of us.
The last two games of the Germany sendoff looked a lot better than the first game against Morrocco. I may buy Arena's excuse about the team being overpracticed before the first game - no legs. I think advancing out of the first round will be a huge accomplishment. I think its amazing we are doing as well as we are given we have only been activley investing time and money into the development of US players for only 10-12 years. No other country could come from out of nowhere to get where we are today. We will get there eventually.
There, my random thoughts were longer.
Great thoughts Larry, and I agree, the rest of the world would be more upset than we would be happy.
I definitely agree that more people are cycling than ever before and sure more people are watching, but it won't reach mlb, nfl, or nba status anytime soon. I guess there was a time, when I thought soccer might creep into that realm here in the states, but now I don't think so. I like your point on american football being, well all americans. Maybe that's why nascar has become so popular.
Another discussion for another time: Why I think Lance is the most overrated athlete of our generation. Ouch.
Oh man, I'd thoroughly enjoy being in Europe if we won the WC. I'd be the biggest trash-talking, loudmouth, ugly American you've ever seen. it would be GREAT!
By the way, I'm in India in the middle of a tropical storm. Sweet.
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